K.H.M.H. C.E.O. says Rebuilding Hospital Cheaper than Fixing It

Following the recommendation of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration, the Ministry of Health and Wellness is also planning to construct a new tertiary level hospital in Belize City. This hospital would essentially replace the long-standing Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, which has served as the country’s primary healthcare facility since 1996. We spoke with C.E.O. of the K.H.M.H., Chandra Nisbet Cansino for her take on the recommendation.

 

Chandra Nisbet Cansino, CEO, Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital

“A study was done by CABEI in regard to that, and they had made the recommendations were, they gave both options to renovate and to rebuild. The actual rebuilding. Was more efficient and more cost efficient than renovating because whatever structure is built would have to be resilient to a category five hurricane. And to bring a structure like this, up to a standard like that, it would be very expensive. But if you will build a structure from the beginning with that plan already in mind, then it would make more sense to build a new building and to renovate.  You find that the location would be maybe more accessible in any way? I think it’s pretty central because we live in a small country, we are very much tied to location. But Chetumal Street is what, like five minutes away from here. So I don’t think it would impact the accessibility by Belize City or the country.”